Team Leader / Biodiversity Expert – Kyrgyzstan

Aninver Development Partners SL (www.aninver.com) is looking for a Team Leader / Biodiversity Expert for a private sector consultancy assignment financed by FAO in Kyrgyzstan.

Aninver Development Partners is preparing a technical proposal for an upcoming advisory assignment financed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in the biodiversity and sustainable forestry sector in Kyrgyzstan. The initiative aims to strengthen protected area management planning and implementation capacity by conducting comprehensive technical assessments, improving spatial planning, and developing evidence-based management frameworks for designated pilot sites.

To successfully lead this multidisciplinary initiative, we are seeking an expert Team Leader / Biodiversity Expert. The successful candidate will provide overall technical leadership, coordinate parallel workstreams, manage relations with the donor and national authorities, and ensure the delivery of high-quality outputs contributing to long-term environmental sustainability and institutional capacity development in the country.

Aninver is preparing a proposal for this assignment. The selected expert will be part of the proposed team; the engagement is conditional on the contract being awarded to Aninver. The full Terms of Reference for the position are shared with shortlisted candidates.

Objectives of the assignment

• Strengthen protected area management planning and implementation capacity in the country.
• Assess, prepare, and update Protected Area Management Plans (PAMPs) for pilot nature parks.
• Conduct baseline and management effectiveness assessments alongside targeted field verifications.
• Engage local stakeholders to develop practical management objectives, zoning, and implementation frameworks.
• Prepare technical guidelines and facilitate capacity development and knowledge transfer for national counterparts.

Scope of work

• Undertake baseline studies and management effectiveness assessments for pilot protected areas.
• Carry out targeted field verification, biodiversity assessments, and socio-economic evaluations to inform management planning.
• Conduct GIS and spatial analysis to support zoning, mapping, and spatial planning frameworks.
• Execute a comprehensive, participatory, and evidence-based planning process involving local stakeholders.
• Develop practical management objectives, zoning schemes, and operational implementation frameworks.
• Prepare Technical Guideline(s) for protected area management planning.
• Execute capacity development and knowledge transfer activities for national and local counterparts.

Your role as Team Leader / Biodiversity Expert

• Provide overall technical leadership and strategic direction for the assignment in Kyrgyzstan.
• Coordinate parallel workstreams and multidisciplinary team inputs to ensure coherent project delivery.
• Manage key stakeholder relations with FAO, national authorities, and local counterpart agencies.
• Oversee the preparation and updating of Protected Area Management Plans (PAMPs) for pilot sites.
• Guide baseline studies, management effectiveness assessments, and biodiversity evaluations.
• Supervise participatory planning processes, stakeholder consultations, and local engagement workshops.
• Ensure the timely delivery of technical reports, spatial planning outputs, and management guidelines.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in biodiversity conservation, forestry, environmental management, ecology, or a related field.
• Demonstrated professional experience in leading multidisciplinary teams for complex environmental or forestry projects.
• Extensive technical background in biodiversity conservation, protected area management planning, and natural resource management.
• Proven track record of managing relations with international donors, particularly the FAO or similar UN agencies.
• Strong expertise in participatory planning processes and stakeholder engagement involving local communities and government authorities.
• Excellent drafting and reporting skills in English, with proven ability to produce high-quality technical documentation and guidelines.

Desirable

• Prior professional experience working on biodiversity and forestry projects in Central Asia.
• Familiarity with GIS and spatial planning applications in protected area management.
• Working knowledge of Russian or the local language spoken in Kyrgyzstan.

An experienced Team Leader and Biodiversity Expert with a strong background in protected area management planning, international donor projects, and participatory conservation strategies in Central Asia.

Assignment details

• Location: Kyrgyzstan
• Financed by: FAO
• Sector: Private sector
• Estimated duration: 12 months
• Contract: individual consultancy (conditional on award)

About Aninver Development Partners

Aninver is an international development consulting firm headquartered in Spain. It supports governments, development banks, UN agencies and bilateral donors with feasibility studies, technical assistance, evaluations and capacity building across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and Asia-Pacific, working with a network of international and national experts.

Why apply

• Join a multidisciplinary team on a FAO-financed project in Kyrgyzstan.
• Individual consultancy: flexible, output-based engagement with an experienced proposal team.
• Your CV stays in Aninver's expert network for future assignments that match your profile.

How to apply

Sign in (or create a free account) and upload your CV in English. Add your LinkedIn profile, indicative daily rate and availability to speed up the assessment. Aninver will contact the shortlisted candidates.

Frequently asked questions

Is the position confirmed? The engagement depends on the contract being awarded to Aninver. Shortlisted experts are included in the proposal with their consent.

Can I apply if I am not based in the country? Yes, unless the requirements say otherwise; relevant regional experience is an asset.

What happens with my CV? It is used to assess your fit for this and future positions and is not shared with third parties without your consent.